Flexible fastening device



June 5, 1928. 1,672,627

N. STATHAM FLEXIBLE FASTENING DEVICE Filed Sept. 25, 1924 Patented June 5, 1928.

NOEL STATHAM, 0F IRVINGTON-UIPON-I IUDSON, NEW YORK.

FLEXIBLE FASTENING DEVICE.

Application filed September 25, 1924. Serial No. 739,848.

My present invention relates to flexible fastening devices, especially in strip form, adapted to be applied to the closures on garments, bags and other receptacles and devices, and adapted to be operated into open or closed position by means of an operating member embracing the two separable members of the flexible fastening devices of the present invention. It is an object of the present invention to devise fastening devices of the general character specified above which shall be simple in construction, easy and convenient to operate, quiet in operation and of comparatively light weight, whereby the fastening devices of the present invention may be successfully employed in cases where a heavier and more cumbersome fastener could not conveniently be employed, the fastening devices of the present invention incorporating fasteners capable of being readily, cheaply and conveniently fabricated, and which may be lacquered or otherwise decorated, as desired. The fastening devices of the present invention are furthermore very neat and attractive in appearance and possess other advantages in construction, mode of operation and use, especially in their Wide range of applicability, hereinafter pointed out in detail.

In the accompanying specification I shall describe, and in the annexed drawing show, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It is, however, to be clearly understood that my invention is not limited to the specific form thereof herein shown and described for purposes of illustration merely.

Referring to the drawing, wherein I have illustrated the aforesaid illustrative embodiment ef the present invention:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of the aforesaid illustrative embodiment of the present invention shown in assembled relation as applied to a garment or like device by way of example;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the device taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 of the drawing;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the device taken along line 33 of Fig. 1 of the drawing;

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the device taken along line 4.4 of Fig. 1 of t e ra g;

Referring now to the aforesaid illustra- I tive embodiment of the present invention, and more particularly to the drawing illustrating the same, the fastening device comprising such embodiment has been illustrated as applied to the opposing port-ions A and B of a garment or other flexible device preferably provided with a seam C which it is desired to open or close, as desired, by means of the flexible fastening devices of the present invention. In certain cases the members A and B may comprise tapes intended to be applied to the garments, shoes, bags or other devices in connection with which the flexible fastening devices of the present invention are intended to be employed.

The tape or garment portion A is provided with the beaded edge 10 carrying the series of female fastening members 11 described in detail hereinafter. Similarly, the tape or garment portion B is provided with the beaded edge 12 carrying the male fastening members 13. The fastening members 11 and 13 are so related in construction and arrange nrent that they are adapted to be closed by the exertion of lateral pressure forcing the male fastening members into the female fastening members, and to be opened by lateral pull which serves to withdraw the male fastening members from the female fastening members.

For this purpose I may construct and arrange the male and female fastening members 13 and 11, respectively, as illustrated in the drawing. As illustrated, the female fastening members 11 each comprise a central beaded portion 14 which fits over the beaded edge 10 of the tape or garment portion A. Forming extensions of the beaded portion 14 and preferably integral therewith are the spring jaws 15 and 16 having the transverse gripping portions 17 and 18, respectively, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. of the drawing. The female fastening members 11 will therefore be seen to be in the form of a series of spring clips or the like held 111 place by the beaded edge of the tape or garment portion A bymeans of the beaded intermediate portions 14 of the fasteners 11. For a reason described in greater detail hereinafter, and as clearly shown in Fig. 6 of the drawing, the transverse gripping portions 17 and 18 are preferably curved at their beaded edge 12 of the tape or garment portion B. The male fastening members 13 are provided with the transverse guiding flanges 20 and 21, providing the channels 22 and 23, respectively, for a purpose described in greater detail hereinafter. As clearly 1nd1- cated in Fig. 7 of the drawing, the channels 22 and 23 are curved or arcuate at their bottoms to receive and thus retain in substantially centrally disposed position the gripping jaws 17 and 18, respectively, of the female fastening members 11.

I provide suitable operating means, in the form of a slidable operating member, for opening and closing the fastening devices of the present invention. Such operating members should be so constructed and designed, and should be so mounted with respect to the series of fastening members 11 and 13, as to readily and conveniently bring such fastening members into closed position by lateral pressure, forcing the male'fastening members into the female fastening members, and to open the fastening device by exerting lateral pull, to extract the male fastening members from the female fastening members.

While various constructions of operating members may be successfully employed for this purpose,,I prefer to use a member of the type shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawing. The operating member herein shown and generally designated by reference character 24 comprises two plate members 25 and 26 having the slots 27 and 28 therein defining the laterally disposed slots through which pass the tape or garment portions A and B, respectively, carrying the fastening members 11 and 13 on their beaded edges 10 and 12, respectively, as described above.

Joining the plate members 25 and 26, as by being soldered thereto or even made integral therewith, is a tapering or wedgeshaped member 29 so disposed, as shown more clearly in Fig. 5 of the drawing, as to provide a channel 30 for receiving and guiding the female fastening members 11 carried by the beaded edge 10 of the tape or garment portion A and a more restricted channel 31 for receiving and guiding the guiding plates of flanges 20 and 21 of the male fastening members 13 earried'by the beaded edge 12 of the tape or garment portion B. The tapering or wedge-shaped member 29 is provided with a channel 32 of a cross-sectional form more clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing and designed to receive and guide the beaded portion 19 of the male fastening members 13. There are thus provided the two wedge-shaped portions 33 and 34 which enter the channels 22 and 23, respectively, of the male fastening members 13.

The assembly and operation of the device just described will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates and may be briefly summarized as follows: 'After the fasteners. 11 and 13 have been attached to the beaded edges 10 and 12 of the tapes or garment portions A and B, respectively, as by clipping the beaded portions of such fasteners onto the beaded edges of the tapes referred to, the fasteners being disposed on such beaded edges in proper spaced relation, the operating member 24 is threaded over the tapes or garment portions A and B carrying the respective fasteners 11 and 13. For this purpose, the tape or garmentportion A carrying the fasteners 11 on the beaded edge 10 thereof is passed through the channel 30 of the operating member 24, while the tape or garment-portion B carrying the fastening members 13 on the beaded edge 12 thereof is passed through the channel 32 of the wedgeshaped member 29, with the guiding plates or flanges 20 and 21 of the male fastening members 13 passing into the restricted channel 31. By now operating the member 24 upwardly in the position of the fastener device shown in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawing, the operating member will exert lateral pressure upon the male fastening members 13 and the female fastening members 11 to insert the former in the latter to close the fastening device. Similarly, the operation of the operating member 24: in the reverse di-v rection, that is, downwardly in the position of the fastening device shown inFigs. 1 and 5 of the drawing, will act to exert lateral pull upon the device to bring about the disengagement of the male fastening members 13 from the female fastening members 11 and thus to open thc'device. This action is brought about largely by the lateral pressure, during the closing operation, and the lateral pull, during the opening operation, exerted by the channel 32 of the wedgeshaped member 29. This action is assisted to a greater or less extent by the wedgeshaped portions 33 and 34 of the wedgeshaped member 29, which wedge-shaped portions enter the channels 22 and 23 of the fastening members 13 to force apart the pairs of fastening members and thus to open the device. During the reverse operation, the action of the-channel 32 causes the male fastening members to be forcibly pressed into the female fastening members to close the device.

The device described above is very simple in construction, easy and economical to manufacture, and convenient, reliable and quiet in operation. The device is also very light in weight and may therefore conveniently and neatly be applied to a large variety of articles where lightness of the fastening means is a prime consideration. Due also to the particular shape and arrangement of the fastening members, particularly the female fastening members, the same may be lacquered or otherwise decorated, as desired.

The device is also very neat and attractive in appearance and finds a wide range of usefulness for the purpose for which it is intended.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips mountedin exposed position on an edge portion of said-flexible fastener-supporting portion and each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member provided with means associated with an edge thereof for engaging the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, and means operating by lateral pull or pressure to force said last-mentioned edge of said cooperating flexible member and said means carried thereby out of or into the spring jaw members of said fastener clips.

2. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips mounted in exposed position on an edge portion of said flexible fastenersupporting portion and each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge, and means operating by lateral pull or pressure to force the beaded edge of said cooperating flexible member out of or into the spring jaw members of said fastener clips.

3. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and means operating by lateral pull or pressure to force an edge of said cooperating flexible member and the retaining clips carried thereby out of or into the spring jaw members of said fastener clips.

4. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members,

clips.

a cooperating flexible member. having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and means operating by lateral pull or pressure to forcethe beaded edge of sa d cooperating flexible member and the retaining clips carried thereby out of or into the spring jaw members of said fastener 5. flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and means operating by lateral pull or pressure to force an edge of said cooperating flexible member and the retaining clips carried thereby out of or into the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, each of said retaining clips having an enlarged head portion and a transverse flange portion defining a channel for the reception and retention of one of said jaw members.

6. A flexible fastening device comprising a'flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and means operating b lateral pull or pressure to force the beade edge of said cooperating flexible-member and the-retaining clips carried thereb out of or into the spring jaw members 0 said fastener clips, each of said retaining clips having an enlarged head portion .and a transverse flange portion defin- 1 mg a channel for the reception and retenlateral pull or pressure to force an edge of said cooperating flexible member and the retaining clips carried thereby out of or into the spring aw members of said fastener clips, each of said retaining clips having an enlarged head portion and a plurality of transverse flange portions defining channels for the reception and retention of a pair of said cooperating jaw members.

8. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and means operating by lateral pull or pressure to force the beaded edge of said cooperating flexible member and the retaining clips carried thereby out of or into the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, each of said. retaining clips having an enlarged head portion and a plurality of transverse flange portions defining channels for the reception and retention of a pair of said coo crating jaw members.

9. A exible fastening device comprising a. flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips mounted in exosed position on an edge portlon of said flexible fastener-supporting portion and each having a pair of flat, substantially parallel cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge, and an operating member en'- closing a portion of said flexible fastenersupporting portion and said cooperating flexible member and provided with means for forcing said beaded edge by lateral pressure into and by lateral pull out of the spring jaw members of said fastener clips.

10. A flexible fastening device comprising .a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a pluralit of fastener clips each having a pair of at, substantially parallel cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge carrylng a plurality of retaining clips, and an operating member enclosing a portion of said flexible fastener-supporting portion and said cooperating flexible member and provlded with means for forcing said beaded edge and the retaining clips carried thereby by lateral pressure into and by lateral pull out of the spring jaw membersof said fastener CllJS.

l1. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of flat, substantially parallel cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and an operating member enclosing a portion of said flexible fastener-supporting portion and said cooperating flexible member and provided with wedge means for forcing said beaded edge and the retaining clips carried thereby by lateral pressure into and by lateral pull out of the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, each of said retaining clips having an enlarged head'portion and a transverse flange portion defining a channel for the reception of one of said jaw members and for the guidance ofsaid wedge means to open the fastening device.

12. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of flat,substantially parallel cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and an operating member enclosing 'a portion of said flexible fastener-supporting portion and Said cooperating flexible member and provided with means comprising a plurality of Wedgeshaped portions for forcing said beaded edge and the retaining clips carried thereb by lateral pressure into and by lateral 111 out of the sprin jaw members of said astener clips, each 0 said retaining clips having an enlarged head portion and a plurality of transverse flange portions defining channels for the reception and retention. of a'pair of said jaw members and for the guidance of said wedge-shaped portions to open the fastening device.

13. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips mounted in exposed position on an edge portion of said flexible fastener-supporting portion and each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible'member having a beaded edge, and an operating member enclosing a portion of said flexible-fastener-supporting portion and said cooperating flexible member and provided with means for forcing said beaded edge by lateral pressure into and by lateral pull out of the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, the lastmentioned means of said operating member being provided With a groove for receiving said beaded edge.

14. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and an operating member enclosing a portion of said flexible fastener-supporting portion and said cooperating flexible member and provided with means for forcing said beaded edge and the retaining clips carried thereby by lateral pressure into and by lateral pull out of the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, the last-mentioned means of said operating member being provided with a groove for receiving said beaded edge and the retaining clips carried thereby.

15. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plurality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperating spring jaw members, a cooperating flexible member having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and an operating member enclosing a port on of said flexible fastener-supporting portlon and said cooperating flexible member and provided with wedge means for forcing said beaded edge and the retaining clips carrled thereby by lateral pressure into and by lateral pull out of the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, each of said retaining clips having an enlarged head portion and a transverse flange portion defining a channel for the reception of one of said jaw members and for the guidance of said wedge means to open the fastening device, the wedge means of said operating member being provided with a roove for receiving said beaded edge an the retaining clips carried thereby.

16. A flexible fastening device comprising a flexible fastener-supporting portion, a plus rality of fastener clips each having a pair of cooperatin spring aw members, a cooperating' flexible member having a beaded edge carrying a plurality of retaining clips, and an operating member enclosing a portion of said flexible fastener-supporting portion and said cooperating flexible member and provided with means comprising a plurality of wedge-shaped portions for forcing said beaded edge and the retaining clips carried thereby by lateral pressure into and by lateral pull out of the spring jaw members of said fastener clips, each of said retaining clips having an enlarged head portion and a plurality of transverse flange portions defining channels for the reception and retention of a pair of said jaw members and for the guidance of said wed e-shaped portions to open the fastening evice, the wedgeshaped portions of said operatin member definin between them a groove for receiving sa-i beaded edge and the retaining clips carried thereby. I

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 16th day of September, 1924.

NOEL I STATHAM. 

